Imagine a hot summer day out by the pool with friends and family. What can make this scenario better? Some smoked BBQ meat would do the trick. Smokers are a great way to cook for large groups of people. They work by using charcoal, wood, or pellets to create smoke and cook the meat until it is perfectly tender. If you are in the market for a new smoker, we recommend Oklahoma Joe’s brand. Give this buyer’s guide a read to find out which one is best for you.
Page Contents (Click Icon To Open/Close)
Why Choose Oklahoma Joe?
Durable Construction
Every smoker from this brand is made from porcelain-coated steel. The cooking grates are designed to withstand everything that you put on them. The porcelain coating ensures that the smoker will hold heat while lasting for years to come.
Advanced Damper System
The regulation and smoke control on these smokers is of next-level, professional quality. Most Oklahoma Joe’s smokers come with multiple, easy to use dampers so that you can adjust every aspect of your grill or smoker. The dampers can be easily turned to allow less or more smoke into the pit.
Professional Temp Control
Depending on the style of grill that you select from Oklahoma Joe’s, you will have a beautiful temperature display. Oklahoma Joe’s promises accurate temperature readings, and some models come with glow in the dark accents.
Large Cooking Racks
When you invite people over for BBQ, you need to ensure that you have plenty of food. With Oklahoma Joe's smokers, you won't have to worry about running out of space. Every smoker comes with porcelain-coated grates with large surface areas.
Baffle System
While all of the Oklahoma Joe’s smokers come with an innovative baffle system, you can also buy additional baffle plates. This will help with directing the smoke and heat into one part of the chamber. The advanced baffles system is easily adjustable to guide the smoke where you want it to go.
Unique Airflow Control System
Each Oklahoma Joe's smoker comes with multiple different smoke stacks that control the airflow. The airflow system, combined with the advanced dampers, will have you smoking your favorite meats in no time.
Custom Smoking Setup
Oklahoma Joe’s smokers allow for many different modifications to their original design. This will give you the ultimate freedom in customization. You can add baffles, racks, and smoke stacks so that your smoker will be unlike anyone else’s.
Mobility
Every smoker in this buyer’s guide comes with a set of wheels so that you can easily move it around the backyard. This makes it easy to roll under cover to keep it safe from the elements.
Oklahoma Joe Smokers Compared
Image | Product | Temperature Range | Cooking Area | Check Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Oklahoma Joe’s 19202089 Bronco | 200 - 400 Fahrenheit | 284 Sq. in | ||
Oklahoma Joe’s 15202029 | 200 - 400 Fahrenheit | 1060 total Sq. in | ||
Oklahoma Joe’s Highland | 200 - 400 Fahrenheit | 900 Sq. in | ||
Oklahoma Joe’s Bandera | 200 - 400 Fahrenheit | 992 total Sq. in | ||
 | Oklahoma Joe’s Highland Offset Smoker | 200 - 400 Fahrenheit | 900 Sq. in | |
Oklahoma Joe’s Longhorn | 200 - 400 Fahrenheit | 1060 Sq. in |
Oklahoma Joe Smoker Types
Offset/Reverse Flow
This type of smoker is designed in a classic style. It features a long, horizontal chamber with cooking racks. There is a firebox on the side where you can burn wood or charcoal. The smoke travels from the firebox into the pit to create heat and smoke.
image source: amazingribs.com
Grill/Smoker Combo
This model works in a similar way to a regular charcoal smoker in that it can reach high temperatures for grilling, but also sustain low temps for smoking. This is ideal for people who want to cook quick meals or turn down the heat for tender and juicy smoked meat.
Drum Smoker
This model is shaped like a big barrel drum. It smokes food vertically, which means you normally hang the meat on hooks. It can reach high temperatures and comes with more vertical space than horizontal.
image source: thegrillinglife.com
Pellet
Depending on the style of grill that you select from Oklahoma Joe’s, you will have a beautiful temperature display. Oklahoma Joe’s promises accurate temperature readings, and some models come with glow in the dark accents.
image source: google.com
Charcoal
This is a common type of Oklahoma Joe’s smoker. It uses charcoal as fuel and can be easily stoked to create more smoke. You can add some wood chips to the firebox to add flavor while smoking.
6 Best Oklahoma Joe Smokers Reviewed
1. Oklahoma Joe’s 19202089 Bronco
Best Oklahoma Joe Drum Smoker
Dimensions | 30.28 x 25.35 x 43.3 inches |
Weight | 136.6 lbs |
Temperature Range | 200 - 400 Fahrenheit |
Cooking Surface Area | 284 Sq. in |
Material | Porcelain, Steel |
Warranty | Yes, 2 years |
If you are looking for a simplistic design and easy to use features, then a drum smoker could be exactly what you’re looking for. We found that the Oklahoma Joe’s Bronco is the best drum smoker on the market. It features the classic barrel design with plenty of room to hang up your BBQ meats.
The Bronco model comes with a tightly sealed lid and airflow system to ensure that you can maintain the perfect smoking temperature. While drum smokers usually are better for hanging meat, the Bronco model also includes a porcelain-coated cooking grate. You can use the grate or meat hooks to smoke your favorite BBQ meats. This model features an oversized charcoal basket so that you can smoke all day without refilling it every hour.
One feature that I found useful with this model was the meat hooks. The ability to hang meat can change the flavor while smoking. It also makes for easy cleanup.R.W. from Oklahoma Joe’s website agreed with me, noting,
Pros
Cons
2. Oklahoma Joe’s 15202029
Best Rated Option
Dimensions | 31.5 x 74 x 50.6 inches |
Weight | 205 lbs |
Temperature Range | 200 - 400 Fahrenheit |
Cooking Surface Area | 1060 total Sq. in |
Material | Porcelain, steel, and cast iron |
Warranty | Yes, 2 years |
When shopping for a new smoker, one thing that everyone considers is the reviews of a product. Why not choose the product that has the best ratings? With the Oklahoma Joe’s Offset/Gas Smoker Combo, you are getting the best rated model available. This model is also one of the most versatile combos for smoking.
The Longhorn combo charcoal and gas smoker is perfect for people who want the best of both worlds. You can smoke meat using charcoal, or you can use propane. Propane can be used to grill or smoke meat, but it is ideal for quickly grilling up some burgers. If you want to turn down the heat and cook low and slow, then the offset firebox will provide plenty of room for charcoal. You can use them simultaneously or separately. This model can truly do it all. It features two cooking chambers; one for grilling and one for smoking.
I thought that this model was genuinely innovative in its design. I used the propane grill to cook up some burgers, while the smoker chamber was slowly cooking some brisket. It was fantastic to have so much versatility.Jamie from Oklahoma Joe’s site exclaimed,
Pros
Cons
3. Oklahoma Joe’s Highland
Best Reverse Flow Smoker
Dimensions | 33.5 x 57 x 53 inches |
Weight | 180.8 lbs |
Temperature Range | 200 - 400 Fahrenheit |
Cooking Surface Area | 900 Sq. in |
Material | Porcelain-coated wire |
Warranty | Yes, 2 years |
Are you looking for a classic wood burning smoker? The kind of smokers that you see at pitmaster competitions? The Oklahoma Joe’s Highland is the best reverse flow smoker out of this range. It combines the classic offset firebox design with a series of 4 baffles to guide smoke and heat into the main chamber.
This Highland model is perfect for people who want a wood or charcoal burning smoker with an offset design. It uses an advanced baffle system so that you can maintain temperature and airflow. It comes with tremendous cooking space at 900 total square inches. The smoke stacks can be arranged to accommodate a reverse flow style or traditional offset style. It boasts a large charcoal or wood basket so that you can keep your fire stoked all day.
I loved that this Oklahoma Joe’s model came with the option to use reverse flow and traditional offset styles. I also enjoyed the superb baffle system. I was always able to maintain smoke and temperature.Pros
Cons
4. Oklahoma Joe’s Bandera
Best Oklahoma Joe Smoker/Grill Combo
Dimensions | 28 x 42 x 66 inches |
Weight | 192 lbs |
Temperature Range | 200 - 400 Fahrenheit |
Cooking Surface Area | 992 total Sq. in |
Material | Porcelain-coated wire |
Warranty | Yes, 2 years |
This model is particularly unique in the way that Oklahoma Joe’s has set it up. We chose the Bandera model as the best Oklahoma Joe’s smoker/grill combo. The one factor that makes this model stand out is that it is also a vertical smoker. You can hang BBQ meats in the vertical portion while grilling in the other chamber.
The Bandera model features loads of space in the vertical smoking chamber. It comes with a rib rack set, two meat hooks, and four adjustable cooking racks. The grill chamber boasts 248 square inches of additional cooking space. This model is best for users who want to smoke and grill at the same time. It is perfect for people who want a vertically designed smoker. It features a raised charcoal shelf for improved airflow to the fire.
I was fairly new to vertical smokers when I tried this model out, but I think it may be one of my favorite designs so far. I enjoyed being able to hang the racks of ribs from the meat hooks for even smoking. I thought the grilling chamber was perfect for burgers or searing a steak.Pros
Cons
5. Oklahoma Joe’s Highland
Value for Money Model
Dimensions | 39 x 20.9 x 23 inches |
Weight | 176 lbs |
Temperature Range | 200 - 400 Fahrenheit |
Cooking Surface Area | 900 Sq. in |
Material | Porcelain-coated wire |
Warranty | Yes, 2 years |
If you’re like me, then you want a great bang for your buck product when you shop. The Oklahoma Joe’s Highland Offset Smoker is the best value for money smoker available in this range. It combines the beauty and ease of offset smoking with the budget price tag that everyone is looking for.
This Highland model is ideal for people that want a great value in a durable offset smoker. It features an advanced damper system that allows you to control all aspects of your cooking. You can easily adjust the heat and smoke to your liking. It boasts plenty of cooking space with 900 square inches. The offset firebox is perfect for quickly adding more wood or charcoal. It means that you don’t even have to open the main chamber lid.
I really enjoyed showing off with this new smoker. I was able to keep a steady fire going in the offset firebox. The adjustable smoke stacks made it easy for me to customize my setup.Pros
Cons
6. Oklahoma Joe’s Longhorn
Best Oklahoma Joe Offset Smoker
Dimensions | 36.5 x 64.3 x 55.5 inches |
Weight | 238 lbs |
Temperature Range | 200 - 400 Fahrenheit |
Cooking Surface Area | 1060 Sq. in |
Material | Porcelain-coated wire |
Warranty | Yes, 2 years |
This model is quite similar to the previously reviewed Highland model. It comes with many of the same features, but the Longhorn model is bigger. The Longhorn Offset Smoker is the best Oklahoma Joe’s offset smoker on the market. It amps up the cooking space to accommodate large parties. This smoker is the best best for people who want to entertain large groups of people at their next cookout.
The Longhorn smoker comes with a massive cooking area of 1060 square inches. This is the same size as many professional smokers. You can fit up to 6 racks of ribs on this thing! It also uses the offset smoking style like the Highland model. Since this model is so big, we recommend it for users who often host guests. If you just want to cook for your family, then you can buy a smaller model. The Longhorn model has advanced dampers and adjustable smoke stacks.
I was impressed with the amount of food I cooked on this smoker. The first time I used it, I was able to fit 3 briskets in at one time. All of the briskets turned out beautifully and evenly cooked.Pros
Cons
Comparison to Other Brands
From my experience reviewing Oklahoma Joe's, I can confidently say that this company produces high-quality smokers. They are built to last and easy to use. One of these smokers should be high on everyone's holiday wish list.
There are other high-quality brands out there, such as Traeger and Masterbuilt, but I think that Oklahoma Joe’s does a great job of combining affordability with durability. All of their products offer a 2-year warranty, which is better than some of the other competition that only offer a 90-day guarantee.
How to Set Up and Use Oklahoma Joe Smokers
Now that you have decided on a new smoker, you probably want to know how to use it. The first step in setting up your new grill is to season it properly.
Next, I’m sure you want to know how to actually smoke your meat. There are many things you can cook, but I recommend starting with a classic rack of ribs.
This is a simple and easy recipe for making perfect, fall off the bone ribs!
Cleaning and Maintenance
After you’ve tried the rib recipe above, you’ll need to give your smoker some tender love and care. You can clean most types of cooking racks with a simple process. You should heat your smoker up to a high temperature, such as 400 degrees. Let the smoker sit while all of the grime on the racks cooks off. Then, simply take a wire brush or steel wool and wipe them down.
You should always remember to cover or store your smoker in a safe place. It should not be subjected to the elements, such as rain or snow. You can buy covers and accessories for all of the Oklahoma Joe’s smokers.
People also Ask (FAQs)
Who makes Oklahoma Joe’s smokers?
Joe Davidson established the company in 1987. The company was purchased in 1998 by Char-Broil, which is a well-established grill company. Joe Davidson and his original team still work closely with design and manufacturing.
Where are Oklahoma Joe’s smokers made?
Oklahoma Joe’s Highland vs. Longhorn - Which is better?
Where is the best place to buy Oklahoma Joe’s smokers?
What is a brief history of the brand?
What are the essential Oklahoma Joe accessories for smoking?
Where can I buy Oklahoma Joe smoker replacement parts?
Do I need a cover for my Oklahoma Joe smoker?
Conclusion
To sum up this buyer’s guide, we have provided you with a thorough brand review of all of the Oklahoma Joe’s smoker range. These are truly impressive products that offer the best value, but which one is the best? In my opinion, the winner of this roundup is the Oklahoma Joe’s 15202029. The reason I chose this model is because it offers the best of both worlds. You can sear steaks and slow smoke ribs at the same time. It is a jack-of-all-trades product!